The Sundays after the Epiphany aren’t the most defined liturgical period in the church’s year. (In fact, one of the most low stakes arguments in church life is whether “Epiphany” is a liturgical season on its own, or is just the beginning of Ordinary Time.) But there are some distinct, prominent themes running through these Sundays, and these themes are especially relevant for what we as Saint Paul’s are up to this month. The word “epiphany” means manifestation or revelation. On these Sundays, the gospel readings especially focus on the manifestation of Jesus’ divinity and on the foundations and beginning of his public ministry.  

So on Epiphany, a star led Gentiles to the Christ-child, revealing to those who are far off that salvation has come. At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit comes down like a dove and a voice calls out from the sky that this normal looking guy is actually the beloved Son of God. This Sunday, we’ll hear how Jesus’ power is revealed in his first miracle, when he turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana. The truth that is hard to see is made clear and accessible. And then in the coming weeks, Jesus organizes and begins his public ministry: calling his first followers, announcing his mission in the synagogue, and giving the Sermon on the Mount/Plain (Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount is called “The Sermon on the Plain.”).  

These themes, of making truth visible and of laying the foundations for ministry in the world, are how I’m thinking about the work we’re doing this month. As we build toward the Annual Meeting on January 30, we are meeting each Sunday at 9:30. These meetings are to make it easier to see more of our life together, and to lay foundations for the ministry we will do this year in the world. Last Sunday Monty Osteen explained how our endowment works. This Sunday, the vestry is hosting a conversation about a draft memorial policy. On January 23, the vestry will present the strategic plan that will guide much of our work over the next few years.  

These topics aren’t exactly the Sermon on the Mount. Nor are they theological mysteries like the divinity and humanity of Jesus. But they matter because they are part of the common life that underlies our shared mission. They are part of our effort to organize ourselves to fulfill our mission, to live into the Baptismal Covenant, to proclaim the gospel to a hurting world. What we are doing this month in the River Room, and then on January 30 in the church, enables what we will do in our neighborhood. Or, better, they enable us to participate in what God is doing in our neighborhood. These conversations are a part of us becoming who we need to be to do what we need to do. I’m looking forward to these conversations, and to the ministry they will help us to do. I hope you’ll join us for both. 

Last Sunday, 53 members of our Church attended Formation where Endowment Committee Chair Monty Osteen stepped us through the details of our Church's endowments. The Committee is appointed by the Vestry and the Wardens are the fiduciaries responsible for the administration of the various trusts. In June 1990, the Vestry adopted an endowment plan in response to a large bequest to the Church. The current trust was established in May 1997, and is managed by Greystone Capital through a contract with the Community Foundation of Augusta. The Saint Paul's Endowment, the Ann Claiborne and Joe Christian Endowment, the Mary Kathleen Blanchard Endowment and the Jane and Bleakley Chandler Endowment collectively have a value of approximately $4,359,000. Each account has a dedicated mission. We are precluded by our rules from ever invading the corpus of the accounts. We are allowed to spend the interest and have a rule with regard to how we do so which considers the four-year moving average of return discounted by the rate of inflation. The spending rule is designed to ensure that we are able to take a distribution in the tough financial years as well as the strong market years. It's important to note that approximately 13% of the annual budget (separate from Outreach) is funded by this distribution. While that is good on some level, we need to be reluctant to rely on it for our necessities because the amount of the distribution fluctuates each year.  

At Sunday's formation, Jim Hilliard was introduced as the new contact for those who are interested in planned giving (hilliard413@comcast.net). Jim retired as the Director for Special Gifts at MCG. We are excited to have him continue the legacy of planned giving which Ted Hussey so well facilitated for many years.  We look forward to working with Jim in this capacity and appreciate his interest and expertise.  

Thank you to everyone who attended and to Monty and the Endowment Committee for all of your hard work.  

Year-end statements will be sent by end of January. If you have any questions, contact Elisabeth Price or (706) 724-2485 ext. 225.

The Finance Committee and the Vestry are beginning the work of preparing the 2022 budget. Your pledge allows them to prepare a more accurate budget. If you have not yet completed a pledge card, please prayerfully consider your pledge to a momentous year. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex and by contacting the parish office. You may also pledge online using the link below.

89 Increase (22 new), 5 Decrease, 40 no change

as of 01/05/2021

Offerings pledged this Week $12,159.00

Offerings received this Week $7,441.68

Operating Expenses to Date $24,586.74

Total Income Received to Date $23,554.58

Vestry Nominations were announced this week. Cameron Nixon has been nominated by Fr. Eric as Senior Warden. Three candidates have been nominated for three, 3-year terms on the Vestry: Bryan Hawkins, Ian McQueen, and Rex Teeslink. Nick Uros has been nominated for a one-year term to fill the unexpired term of Matt Gullette. Short Bios for the candidates are available here.

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.